John 'Jack Rabbit' O'Rourke
Born In: Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Passed on: January 4th, 2012
It is with heavy hearts, that we the family announce the passing of John William O’Rourke of East Street, Whitney Pier. ‘Jack Rabbit’ as he was fondly known by family and friends passed away surrounded by his loving family at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Jan. 4, 2013.
Born in Holyrood, Newfoundland, Jack was the son of the late Frank and Sarah (Timmons) O’Rourke.
Jack worked for Sydney Steel Corp. for 42 years in the blast furnace and was a member of Holy Redeemer parish. Jack was the ‘Dad of all Dad’s’ with his kind and patient manner, always willing to lend a helping hand to family and friends. He would always welcome visitors with a smile and a pot of tea. Jack was an avid fisherman and hunter and spent much time outdoors fishing and hunting with his sons and son-in-law. Jack was a “Jack of all trades” able to fix anything from an electrical problem to the many cars he worked on fixing both electrical and body work in his spare time.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen (Reynolds) O’Rourke of 63 years; sons, Kevin, John (Gracie), Francis, Michael (Anita) and daughter, Betty (Blair) Melanson, all of Sydney; sisters, Bridget (the late Charlie) Drohan, Sydney, Peg (the late Bud) Carrie, Oshawa; and 10 grandchildren, Stacey, Natasha, Kevin, John, Jason, Janine, Reilly, Corson O’Rourke and Michelle and Jonathan Melanson.
Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by his step-mother, Susie Hollohan, brother, Phil and sister, Kate.
Visitation for the late John William ‘Jack Rabbit’ O’Rourke will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at 11 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church with Fr. Alex MacLellan officiating. Reception will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
Family flowers only, donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society or Cancer Care Patient Fund.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com.